The top reported proficiency rate is 88% in Social studies. The lowest is 68% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Holden Elementary School
Holden Elementary School is a small K-5 public school in Kent, Ohio, serving a neighborhood population of students who are predominantly economically disadvantaged. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, and the enrollment is evenly distributed across the grade bands, with a modest student body overall.
The school's state test results show mixed performance. In math and English language arts, students achieved proficiency rates that fall in the top quartile of districts within Portage County, a solid position. Science proficiency was notably stronger, reflecting particular success in that subject area. A comparison of overall proficiency across tested subjects places Holden above the median performance of Portage County districts, suggesting the school is delivering results that outpace many of its regional peers.
Student demographics reflect Kent's character as a mixed community. The student body is roughly split between white students and students of other backgrounds, with a substantial share identifying as Black or multiracial, a smaller Hispanic population, and very few Asian or Native American students. The enrollment pattern is characteristic of an urban or inner-ring suburban school serving a neighborhood population.
In terms of the immediate context, Kent is a college town anchored by Kent State University, with downtown and campus areas directly adjacent and connected by walkways and transit infrastructure. The broader region has seen downtown reinvestment and new residential development in recent years. Housing in Kent carries moderate values by regional standards; monthly rents are moderate as well, and affordability measures suggest that housing costs sit at a manageable portion of household income for those employed at regional wages.
The Kent City School District, which includes Holden, navigated significant financial pressure. Voters approved a new operating levy in May 2026, the district's first new operating money since an earlier period, to close a projected budget gap. That levy locks in a property tax increase for homeowners and stabilizes ongoing school operations. In addition, a bond issue approved in 2020 has funded district-wide infrastructure improvements including HVAC systems, roofing, and building renovations, including work at Holden's sibling elementary schools and the high school auditorium. These capital investments represent sustained improvement to physical learning environments across the district.
A parent considering Holden should weigh that the school draws a community with high economic need, reflected in the lunch-eligibility rate. The academic results are respectable, particularly in science, and performance sits above the regional average. The school operates within a district that has worked through fiscal challenges and made infrastructure investments in its buildings. Whether Holden fits a family's needs will depend on alignment with neighborhood location, school size, and comfort with the economic and demographic composition of the student population.
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